By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual Industry Block Party at Summer Classics Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. Summer Classics Co-CEO Dick Cross introduced guests to the new facility and explained the positive impact they are making on Shelby County.

Fifteen months ago, Summer Classics developed a new mission based on the company’s core values and purpose, and after only 13 months, Cross said they are ahead of schedule.

“We are living our vision,” he said. “We are living our core values. We are chained to our purpose everyday. We are ahead of schedule on our mission.”

Based on Summer Classic’s five core values—obsession with design, relentless attention to detail, integrity, family and exceptional business results— the mission was to install an infrastructure to ensure the success of the business and double their revenues by the end of the year.

“Life’s best moments, furnished,” Cross said. “We actually have this crazy idea that we come to work to give people things that will give them more of life’s best moments. We will install these in their lives.”

To accomplish this mission and vision of the company, Cross explained that Summer Classics upgraded the managerial structure with 13 new key managerial positions, went through every system and process in the company and moved into its new building off U.S. 31 in Pelham.

“The reason most businesses slide off the lily pad is they don’t have the courage to move forward,” Cross said. “For us it is really working.”

By creating this vision, he said Summer Classics will become a national brand, provide an exceptional quality of life to all it touches and generate about $200 million in revenues.

Pelham Mayor Gary Waters, Shelby County City Manager Alex Dudchock, the Alabaster Rotary Club and other business leaders, along with members of the chamber, also took a tour of Summer Classics facility.

The Summer Classics project was made possible by collaboration between Shelby County, the city of Pelham and Summer Classics. Waters said the most common remark he hears about the project is how nice the new building is.

More than aesthetics, Waters said he is happy about the new jobs, the products in the area and the economic impact of the business.

“I am most excited about the collaboration between the private sector, Shelby County and the city of Pelham,” he said. “I hope in the future, we can use this as a template of future partnerships.”